It's a tricky answer as I think every dense client situation is unique. >From the start, if your client base supports it, using 802.11a will make it easier given more channels to make use of. 500 clients also includes 500 potential problems for everyone else.
Although a special event, we do so every year as part of an conference event in a ~5000 sq ft concert hall. The event brings K12 students from around the state and culminates with an 'Uber' event in the concert hall where an online task is attempted. It has an advantage of having a nearly homogenous client base (Macbooks). To summarize quickly off the top of my head from what I remember: (I can look to dig up/send more info if desired) This is a one time event each year - we do not permanently mount the mentioned # of APs here as it's not needed otherwise. 2009: using 2.4 only (clients not 5G capable), I recall we achieved 650+ active users out of possible 800. ~20 Cisco 1240s (LWAPP) APs We tried to control using a combination of directional and omnis - conceded to just use omnis. Note: one bad client NIC caused some havoc due to a continuous high duty cycle which took a while to locate. 2010: Using 5G only significantly eased the process and we achieved ~850. Special SSID used campus wide - open along with web policy and a single local group account. ~23 APs in the concert hall - Cisco 1142s and a single 3502 and a single 1240 for any 2.4 only clients. These ran under 7.0.98.0 WLC code on a 4404. Most APs distributed under seats. Omni antennas only. 802.11N enabled. Included use of UNI-2e channels (clients were capable). Locked RRM DCA changes in the concert hall once stability perceived. Band-select enabled Client DHCP req'd (Cisco TeleP on a 30' screen was fun too.) 2011: For this year's event in May we'll duplicate much of what worked last year but using all 3502s. We'll aim to surpass last year's record and continue to improve proactive management. -----Original Message----- From: The EDUCAUSE Wireless Issues Constituent Group Listserv [mailto:WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU] On Behalf Of Palmer J.D.F. Sent: Thursday, April 21, 2011 11:12 AM To: WIRELESS-LAN@LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU Subject: [WIRELESS-LAN] High client density WiFi? Hello, I've been posed a tricky question by someone on a planning committee for a new campus building. "...is it actually feasible for 500 simultaneous WiFi connections in a lecture room?" I was hoping that there would be someone that might have experience of answering (or providing a solution to) such a question who could offer some input as to whether this is possible, or how close to the figure of 500 could we realistically achieve with the technology currently available? We are Cisco a site so ideally any solution would need to be one Cisco is capable of delivering, but if there are other vendors that are proven to be able to provide this kind of coverage to good effect, then I'd be glad to hear of your experiences. All the best, Jezz Palmer. ------------------------------------- Jezz Palmer Library & Information Services Swansea University Singleton Park Swansea SA2 8PP ------------------------------------- ********** Participation and subscription information for this EDUCAUSE Constituent Group discussion list can be found at http://www.educause.edu/groups/. ********** Participation and subscription information for this EDUCAUSE Constituent Group discussion list can be found at http://www.educause.edu/groups/.
